Claris Law Legal Blogging Community

Editor: James T. Crouse
Profession: Aviation Accident Attorney

Category: Aviation Safety

Since it's beginning on April 1, 1967, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has investigated over 124,00 civilian aviation accidents and more than 10,000 surface transportation accidents. It's task is to determine the probable cause and to make recommendations to avoid future accidents. In some incidents, the NTSB can serve an appeal role when certificate action is taken against an airman, mechanic or mariner as outlined in the Administrative Law Judges and General Counsel.

Although an independent entity, the NTSB at first depended on the U. S. Department of Transportation for funding and administrative backing until 1975 when all ties to the DOT were ended and it is now not affiliated with any of the DOT's agencies.

The board is available 24/7 to investigate significant accidents in this country and throughout the world. The NTSB does not operate in a regulatory or enforcement capacity, but because of it's highly regarded reputation for fairness and thoroughness more than 82 percent of it's recommendations have been used to effect change making travel safer for us all.